Gonzo Report: GoldFishMan dances his way into Music Box

2023 warped by in the blink of a tiger’s eye, and now everybody’s sharing their annual Spotify wrapped sheet via social media. I didn’t share mine, but I will let you know that my number three song this year was from a collaboration between Australian jammer Xavier Rudd and the electronic DJ duo Goldfish. Their song “We Deserve to Dream” pumped through my radio speakers over a hundred times, and it’ll likely keep pumping well into 2024. When, after a moment’s pause, the song’s chorus hits, the saxophone blows hard, and the drum beat spanks like a pounding lust-filled heart, it makes me feel...some kind of way. When you put a song like that on, during any occasion, that occasion starts to feel like a party in Ibiza. Speaking of parties, Goldfish just put on one of the best of last year: December 2 at Music Box.

During my Uber adventure to Little Italy, I tried to make friendly conversation with my timid Afghani driver, Ahmad. There’s an obligation I feel to make some kind of attempt to engage, even if it’s just learning where somebody is from. I recommended that he get a licorice dispenser and put it where the dome light was — an idea lifted from the movie Wayne’s World. When he dropped me off, I sensed his relief, but I threw him a five-star review anyway.

In a sincere attempt to tame the tequila that was already coursing through my veins, I looked for a place where I might fill my hungry guts with food. Lines were snaking out the doors of nearly every nearby restaurant. I ended up settling for an Americano and panini at Tazza D’Oro. Pizza and a beer would have been more ideal, but I wanted to get out of the human clog on India Street as soon as my legs would allow.

In line at the Music Box, I heard the couple standing behind me chatting in an accent that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. Eventually, I turned around and asked about it. “South Africa,” said the bearded Saffa. They were apparently friends of David Poole and Dominic Peters of Goldfish. “A lot of cool shit comes from there,” I offered. We started listing famous South African figures. “We’ve Nelson Mandela, Goldfish, Dave Matthews, and Elon Musk — unfortunately,” said Saffa. “Not all of it is good stuff. The crime is terrible there. I moved to San Diego in 1998.” The friendly fellow went on to tell me that Atlanta and San Diego are the U.S. cities South Africans flock to most often. San Diego makes that very short list because of its similar climate and chill beach culture.

Once inside the venue, I felt a gravitational pull to the bar almost immediately. From the beer list, I ordered a Japanese lager called Gonzo Mania — kind of had to, no? — then made my way to the third level of the venue and watched the house begin to fill up.

Given all the transplants from South Africa to San Diego, it was no surprise that Goldfish quickly sold out the show. It’s hard to put the electronic DJ duo in a box (unless it’s the Music Box). Their music is a cocktail of house beats, an unhinged saxophone giving it a jazz vibe, and an electric stand-up bass, blended with pop sounds. House and electronic were never high on my list of preferred music genres, but these guys stayed heavy in my rotation. Through them, I’m starting to understand the allure of it all. The rizz is undeniable. This conviction was evident as seemingly lotic show-goers packed three layers of venue.

Earlier in the day, Goldfish put out an announcement that there would still be a chance to be a part of the sold out show if you had missed out on snagging a ticket. Their proposal: “If you can dance, hit us on the DM!” A man named Kareem Cheez answered the call, and became a legend for a night. Dressed in a poppin’ orange goldfish costume, he was now GoldFishMan. It was rumored that GoldFishMan was horrified by the fact that everyone in San Diego eats fish tacos. But this didn’t stop him from braving the hungry crowd, hopping on the stage and showcasing his dancing abilities. The panini I’d eaten earlier hardly did anything for me, and fish tacos sounded like a solid option. But I would never eat a man dressed in a fish costume, no matter how hungry I get. It’s unsavory, and I prefer chicken.